Pancyprian Amateur Theatre Festival returns to Cyprus this October

The Cyprus Theatre Organisation has announced the 37th Pancyprian Amateur Theatre Festival 2024, aiming to strengthen, promote, and support amateur theatre across Cyprus.

According to a statement from THOC, the festival is scheduled to run from October 2 to November 15, 2024. Participating teams will receive financial support of €700 this year, with potential adjustments based on the number of teams and available funding. Teams selected to perform on THOC's main stage will receive an additional €1000.

To participate, teams based in Cyprus must submit the 2024 participation form online, available on THOC's website (www.thoc.org.cy), to nmourouzi@thoc.org.cy by September 2, 2024, along with required information.

Eligible teams must have staged at least two different theatre productions in the past five years, excluding the current year, unless the production is being presented at this year's festival.

All participating theatre groups must be prepared for a physical presence starting October 2, 2024, with performance schedules determined by THOC.

Adults aged 18 and above may participate as amateur actors, with exceptions for minors only under specific project requirements and with THOC's written approval.

Groups may present any work, including children's productions, with a duration of 70 to 105 minutes including an interval, and not less than 55 minutes excluding the interval.

Teams not meeting these criteria may apply for exemption by September 2, 2024, stating reasons alongside their application. THOC holds sole discretion over festival participation decisions.

Each team may participate with a single performance. Groups presenting original texts or adaptations must submit the performance text for approval.

Decisions on participation approval, focusing on text integrity, will be communicated to applicants by September 13, 2024, with no appeal process available.

THOC's Artistic Committee, comprising theatre professionals, will offer practical advice and may award honours for outstanding performances. The committee will ensure event coherence and promote festival goals effectively.

Included teams qualifying for THOC grants are responsible for show organization, finances, and securing intellectual property rights. Teams failing to present their performance forfeit financial support.

Duplicate entries of the same work under the same director will lead to exclusion. Amateur groups may involve professional actors with prior written permission under special circumstances only.

Submitting an application signifies acceptance of THOC's terms and the decisions of its Artistic Committee. All participating teams will receive a participation diploma.

[Information sourced from CNA]